From Alan Glasscock When I was around the age of 10, I began what eventually became
a life-long involvement in big band music. I recall the first Glenn Miller
record I ever heard, "In the Mood." It somewhat annoyed me at
first, but then began to grow on me. Soon I was collecting anything and
everything Glenn Miller. By the time I was a teenager, I had a large collection
of records and memorabilia, and wanted to play music-in particular-Big
Band music professionally. I had played piano already for some years,
and hoped one day to lead my own big band.
As I pursued that dream, I created many friendships with local Dallas,
TX musicians. One of my friends, a bandleader for some 40 years at that
time, was a close personal friend of one Tex Beneke. My friend Harvey
had grown up in a musical family, and his father was also a bandleader.
His father had a young kid named Gordon Beneke who played with his band.
When Harvey formed his own band, he continued his friendship with Gordon
(Tex), and when Gordon left town for the "big time," he became
known as "Tex," as per Glenn Miller's fond nickname for him.
After Tex had achieved fame with the Miller band, he continued touring
and when he would arrive in a given city, he would contact a band contractor
who would actually put together a band for him, composed mostly of local
musicians. By then (the 1960s) it was not economically feasible for a
band of 15 or more players to travel as an "intact" unit. At
times Tex would bring along a few key people, like a drummer, lead saxophonist
or vocalist, with the other chairs filled in by the local union roster
members. This was, and still is, a very common practice.
Here is where I come in: One day, Harvey asked if I would like to meet
Tex Beneke. Of course, at age 18, I was beside myself! Here was a once-in-a-lifetime
chance to meet one of the living legends of the big band era. I was finally
going to meet the same person who made over 200 records with the Glenn
Miller Orchestra I loved so very well. The same person who made the tune
"Chattanooga Choo Choo" world-famous. I quickly accepted the
invitation, and was told to call up Tex at a local hotel.
I found Tex to be one of the most gracious and pleasant people I have
ever known. I visited with him for around an hour and a half, during which
time I was able to ask him many questions about the Miller band. Mostly
musical theory questions, as I was also interested in arranging. He told
me many of the rehearsal techniques Glenn used and made many comments
about the individual tunes. He recalled that the band hated "Chattanooga
Choo Choo," calling it a silly, going nowhere tune. The band never
realized what a hit that tune would make, least of all Tex himself! He
said that he was, in retrospect, glad they recorded it, as it had became
somewhat of a signature tune for him.
I also asked Tex why he was never mentioned in the motion picture, The
Glenn Miller Story, and he explained that when the Miller Estate broke
ties with him in the late-40s, they apparently held a grudge and was,
for all purposes, blacklisted from any promotions (even to this day) relating
to Glenn Miller.
Tex also asked if I would like to see his saxophone. He pulled out a very
beautiful horn, telling me that this Martin-brand sax is the very same
one he played in Miller's band, adding that it had had much repair work
over the years. I couldn't believe my eyes--the same horn that blended
so well within the Miller saxophone section, and the same one that played
so many classic solos over the years.
A couple of years after our first meeting, Tex married a lady named Sandra,
who was a waitress in a coffee shop he frequented in the Los Angeles area.
Tex had been widowed for a number of years, and was very lonely. Sandra
later traveled with him across the USA, and helped manage his library.
As I became older, I realized my dream of leading a big band, which I
have done for some 20 years now. And I also became a well-known arranger.
My abilities also spread to Tex's ears on the California coast, and he
hired me to recreate a few of the old Miller tunes for his own library.
He explained that after the WW2, the demand for the old Miller tunes did
not occur until The Glenn Miller Story was released in the early-50s.
By then, he had no original Miller tunes in his library, and had to hire
arrangers to transcribe them off the old records so he could handle the
audience's requests. The cheque he paid me with is framed and hanging
on my wall to this day.
I last saw Tex in the summer of 1998. He arrived in Dallas for a big band
festival. I had not seen Tex for over 10 years at that point, and I was,
quite honestly, shocked at his physical appearance. I had heard that under
his doctor's advice he had given up playing his sax, but I had no idea
how ill he must have been. When he appeared on stage, he was given a very
rousing standing ovation--the only standing ovation given to any performer
that evening! I felt so glad that some 50 years later, Tex was still appreciated
for his place in swing history. He sang the obligatory "Chattanooga,"
plus "Ida," "Kalamazoo," and "Don't Sit Under
the Apple Tree." I didn't know it, but that would be the last time
I would ever see Tex. I had the presence of mind to take a few photos
that night, which I look upon as one of my most cherished possessions.
Three days ago I heard the news that Tex had died. How fortunate I am
for having known one of the greats of the music world. And what honor
I feel in having him value my talents enough to hire me as an arranger--especially
when he has had his pick of the litter in Jerry Gray, Bill Finegan, Norman
Leydon and Henry Mancini!
I type this as I listen to the Chesterfield broadcast version of "Solitude."
What poetic irony this makes me feel.
***In about 1982, I played piano on a gig backing up Tex in Dallas. After
the gig, Tex and my friend, Harvey, were talking about Harvey's new alto
saxophone. Tex wanted to try it out, and asked that I back him up on piano,
playing an ad lib "blues." What an experience--perhaps I was
the only person to hear Tex play an alto saxophone since 1941, when Tex
subbed in the lead alto chair with Miller (upon Hal McIntyre's departure)!
***(During my last visit with Tex in the summer of 1998, at the Dallas
Big Band Festival,) I told Tex that if he needed any more musical arrangements,
I would be happy to write some more for him. He looked at me rather sadly
and said, "Alan, I'm not adding anything else to the book. I won't
be around much longer...: How sad to hear those words. How sad to think
that he would not be making music too much longer, and he already had
a premonition of things to come.
Keep swingin'! Alan Glasscock <Gbigbandswing@aol.com>

nu

More
Tributes

Dear Peter, Thanks for sending
me the sad news. I always felt that Tex was the closest link we had
to GM these past few decades. And now he's gone. As I told a friend,
I can just hear Glenn Miller up there now .... "Hello there Texas,
whatchu say?" Sincerely, Joanne

Peter: Thankyou for the e-mail. I just
now got around to checking it for the first time in over a week. In
case you didn't know I am a fireman here in Florida and if you've seen
the news at all lately we've had our hands full. I am very sad to here
about Tex. I would have loved to have met him. From my understanding
he was very ill for quite sometime, and given his age, I guess he had
enough. God bless him. It was real nice to here from you again. Please
stay in touch. Bill Mills

Alas! I knew this could happen, but of course,
it happened as I tried to write him a letter. I think we can be happy
anyhow to see that Tex was with us for such a long and productive life.
I myself, and I think all the fellows saxophonist and music lovers can
pay a tribute to Tex in particular,and to big band music in general.
God bless Him, and I'd like to think that now Tex is now rehearsing
with Glenn and his old buddies up there in Heaven's Big Band. Many thanks
to you, Pete, Paolo Piccardo

Thank you for letting me know. How sad
- there's a jolly good band up there!
Don Lusher Big Band

Thanks for e-mail about Tex Beneke, I
think a very successful life came to an end, may he rest in peace and
we remember him as long as we live.
thank you Peter, I keep you posted, Wim van den berg.

Peter, thank you for the information.
I knew Tex was ill but it's news to me that he died. What was the date
and, if you know it, the cause? Tex has given me much pleasure with
his music. I often think of him, especially when playing In The Mood
for example. We play the original Miller arrangement and my lead tenor
player always has trouble with that big drop from high D to low Bb,
that Tex did so smoothly. Bob

Dear Peter,
Thank you for taking the trouble to e-mail me on the very sad loss of
Tex Beneke.My prayers go out to his family and friends on their sad
loss.On your last e-mail you spoke about about the radio stations around
the world forsaken us older listeners and the sad loss of Tex only confirms
those words,because the loss of Tex is yet another loss to our
heritage and yet another loss to the wonderful Glenn Miller and his
fellow muscians all over the world. Tex Beneke"Gone but not forgotten"by
all of his fans. Regards and i shall e-mail you soon. Syd Hughes

many more tributes were sent and I
passed them on the Tex's family. Liesl Beneke a close cousin of Tex
sent this reply to you all:- Thank you so much for your
kind words. They brought tears to MY eyes. We are all so sad to lose
such a wonderful man. He was old but it just never seemed like he would
die. I am sure Tex read your letters. He LOVED to get letters from people
who enjoyed his music. He was not big on writing back only because he
had palsy and had trouble writing. Thank you so much for your web page
and for your kind words. Sincerely, Liesl Beneke

Please e.mail me
with your comments.

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